newbie Just starting out - advice would be lovely :)

[SophieCat 6]

Hi everyone 

Apologies as you’ve probably been asked this a million times!

I'm a fledgling collector as far as actually trying to get organised and care for my coins, but I’ve been collecting in a very loose sense for many years. Having read up a bit about it, I know I’m doing it all wrong! So I want to store things properly and get some real information on everything. Coins have always fascinated me, especially the old ones with a real life story in every scuff and mark. I’ve got a bit of everything at the moment, but nothing (as far as I know yet!) of any great value. Just a few small collections that I’ve picked up in jumble, and my own years of adding this and that to a pot...

I’d like some advice on the best equipment to get for a beginnner watching their pocket, and I’d also like to know a second tier of storage for more protection that costs a bit more. I know to avoid PVC, to not clean your coins, to only touch the edges (only found that one out recently!) and that circulated coins operate in a whole different sphere to mint and proof coins in blocks and specialist cases.

Nubim and lighthouse, pockets and pouches, acid-free and non-pvc... I’ve read a few forum threads and some websites, but there isn’t much straightforward advice for the enthusiastic beginner who wants to treat their coins as well as they can afford, and just wants some pointers  

I’ve probably got about 300 British coins 1700-modern, and another 100 of many different countries, and a couple of roman coins. One third reich 1943 ten pfennig coin, black with age and portent, which fascinates me. Also some presentation coins, a couple in hard plastic cases and one in a wallet. I’d like to keep everything together, and I’d love to be able to label them (I can do small, neat writing).

Specifically, I’ve read a lot about not cleaning your coins, but the latest lot I got (for free from a chap clearing out a relative’s things) which had been stored in a coin bag, each ten or so wrapped in cling film, and they feel all sticky and have sticky-looking marks on them, which I think I should get off before they get damaged any further. Do I just do the distilled water 30-day soak, or use a cleaning cloth, or almething else? Are gloves necessary? Can you recommend a good starter book for reference?!

Looking forward to some of your suggestions, and I’m excited at the thought of starting to collect more seriously. Thank you so much!  

[PWA 1967 2,233]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Thats a lot of questions and a really good first post............ sure you will get some answers 

First one is dont IMO try to clean or buy anything for the next couple of weeks and spend the time reading old threads etc.

If you type in the search box top right anything your interested in , its probably been discussed before.

Pete.

Edited December 5, 2017 by PWA 1967

[SophieCat 6]

Thanks Pete. I’m definitely going to keep on reading! I promise absolutely no cleaning will take place unless I’ve got really clear advice about what I’m dealing with  

Sophie

[Peter 615]

Hi Sophie  Welcome to the forum.Your sticky coins can be sorted by a quick soak in pure acetone (not nail varnish remover) easily found cheaply on ebay. After a soak a quick flush in distilled water then rest on kitchen roll to aid a dry.The acetone will de gunk your coins with no other harm.

2x2 self adhesive flips are great for storing run of the mill coins.You can also get album sheets which take 2x2 flips.

A great little book for British coins is Collectors coins GB published by Chris Perkins (the owner of this site).

Spinks coin book is another great resource.The 2018 edition is now due but you can buy earlier copies very cheaply.Try Amazon.I update my Spink about every 3 or 4 years. 

These are great little albums.You can probably get them cheaper if you search around.

.http://www.arrowfile.com/coin-holder-wallet-for-60-coins-prodckbl/?language=en&currency=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi8bR-_P01wIVpLDtCh3Osg0fEAQYBCABEgLSbfD_BwE

I don't know where you are based but a trip to the Midland or Wakefield monthly coin fairs will open your eyes (google both)

Walk before you run,set up a spread sheet for your records and enjoy.

We're all here to help and there is not a thing called a silly question.We all started out green.

Enjoy the 24/7 hobby.

 

 

 

 

[SophieCat 6]

Hi Peter,

Thank you for all the answers! Brilliantly helpful

I am in the West Midlands, but sadly I’m not able to travel due to disability so my passion will be very much as a home bird! The internet and books will have to do, lol... Shame, because I’d have happily spent hours pottering around a coin fair!

Ooo I love a good spreadsheet. What sort of thing do you record? Do I do an entry for each coin, give it a code, etc? I really need to read up on grading and the other little watchwords I’m seeing you all use as I read through threads. Any examples?

I’ve had a smooch on Arrowfile so that’s a relief, I can get the flips and albums.

Thank you so much for advising the acetone degunk. Such a relief to know I don’t have to leave that clingfilm crap on my poor coins! I’ll be happy as a pig in you-know-what  Do you have any advice about how best to handle them during the soak, getting them in and out etc?

Oh dear.. I can  feel myself falling headlong here...walking before running though ;-) 

Soph.

 

[Rob 3,219]

The Midland fair is this weekend, and the layout is large enough for wheelchairs if you have to use one (there are a few regulars in wheelchairs), there is plenty of parking and flat access. Doors open at the motorcycle museum at 9:30 this Sunday for the last fair of the year. £2 entry. http://www.coinfairs.co.uk/midland-coin-fair.aspx

 

[SophieCat 6]

Thanks so much Rob, but no wheelchair for me, lol, I’m an odd bird! ?

Bet it’s amazing to go to... I actually went into a coin shop a few years ago when I was still able to get out a bit, and it was fascinating, but I feel I really missed a lot of what was there...just from not knowing the subtleties and complexities of everything. I’m sure virtual reality will catch up and let me go to a fair soon lol - now there’s a challenge for them!

Soph.

[Peter 615]

Sophie    Maybe a mobility scooter.You can barge people out of the way and I can follow in your wake.I will let you have 1st dibs..

You really need to see what is out their. A follow on would be a book on grading.(incidentally published by a forum member) We have several dealers on this forum none of whom will sell you short. 

Pete's suggestion of searching the forum will keep you busy.

[Unwilling Numismatist 505]

Hi Sophie, I can vouch for "searching the forum", it's kept me in good reading for over a year now, and I still haven't read even half of it!

As for the dealers, and in fact everyone here, you couldn't wish to meet a nicer group.

Once you start seeing what others are buying, keeping hold of your "spendable" money rather than turning it into "collectable money" becomes quite a challenge

[copper123 1,552]

If you watch out lidl usually sell a aluminium coin case in december - treat yourself to one or two or ask for them as presents  they will help organise your collection

[SophieCat 6]

Lol, not even that Peter! ? But it’s a great thought, and if I can do it one day I’ll enlist your assistance...!

Reference books are always indulgent. So the Collectors Coins GB, and a Spinks too. Can you recommend a grading book title? It’s fab that there are so many really knowledgeable people in this forum  

Thanks again.

Soph.

Edited December 6, 2017 by SophieCat

[Rob 3,219]

9 minutes ago, SophieCat said:

Lol, not even that Peter! ? But it’s a great thought, and if I can do it one day I’ll enlist your assistance...!

Reference books are always indulgent. So the Collectors Coins GB, and a Spinks too. Can you recommend a grading book title? It’s fab that there are so many really knowledgeable people in this forum  

Thanks again.

Soph.

The coins are the indulgence unless you collect books first and foremost. The reference books are just one of several tools to help get you to your chosen destination. Derek Allen (redriley) wrote a book on grading. The cover is illustrated in the advert at the top of this page and the link leads you to the Predecimal shop. 

[1949threepence 3,368]

27 minutes ago, SophieCat said:

Lol, not even that Peter! ? But it’s a great thought, and if I can do it one day I’ll enlist your assistance...!

Reference books are always indulgent. So the Collectors Coins GB, and a Spinks too. Can you recommend a grading book title? It’s fab that there are so many really knowledgeable people in this forum  

Thanks again.

Soph.

There's a really good one by a forum member here, "Red Riley", although he's not posted for some time. Real name of Derek Allen, and the book is "Grading British Coins", copyright 2009. It's at the top of the page but here's an Amazon link anyway. 

It's a very useful text.

[Rob 3,219]

Give the business to Chris first as he provides the forum for free. Better than inflating Jeff Bezos' already gargantuan wallet even further.

[SophieCat 6]

Lmao...okay, Chris gets my order first ?

Thanks guys, really nice to have a warm welcome. It’s scary when you first dip your numismatic (is that right?!) toe into expert waters...

Soph.

[copper123 1,552]

By the way the coin boxes go on sale in lidl this year on Dec 14

FILL YOUR BOOTS

[SophieCat 6]

Thanks copper123, but I’ve done my Christmas List for family and already filled it with coin storage, reference books and other paraphernalia! Will be exciting...hoping someone will but me some actual coins too lol! I’m finding more and more at home, turns out I’ve been collecting unusual coins since childhood...?

Soph.

[Rob 3,219]

4 hours ago, SophieCat said:

Thanks copper123, but I’ve done my Christmas List for family and already filled it with coin storage, reference books and other paraphernalia! Will be exciting...hoping someone will but me some actual coins too lol! I’m finding more and more at home, turns out I’ve been collecting unusual coins since childhood...?

Soph.

That's the one thing you don't want. Coin collections are a personal thing. They will probably buy something that is overpriced and in a grade that you will want to improve on. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder etc.

[TomGoodheart 434]

I find a cheap way of storing coins is acid free paper envelopes Sophie.  Not as handy as the transparent plastic ones, I admit, but simple to just pop a coin in (particularly if it's a 'minor' in the collection and you're unlikely to want to re-examine it very often) and you can just write straight on them as to the contents..  I had a check and Chris P doesn't seem to have any but Colin Cooke do at I think £3 for 100.

Acetone? As well as ebay, some chemists stock small bottles too.  I think I got mine in Cox & Robinson.

Traditionally, collectors used to use small paper discs (we call them 'tickets') to record the details of their collection ... and some, like me (and presumably Rob) still do.  (See Rob's thread on them here: Ticket Central)  I find them both handy and a nice link to a coin's past as a collectable when there are other tickets from earlier collectors with it.  Chris DOES stock those (card coin ID tickets)

Oh, and finally, welcome and have fun! 

[TomGoodheart 434]

33 minutes ago, Rob said:

That's the one thing you don't want. Coin collections are a personal thing. They will probably buy something that is overpriced and in a grade that you will want to improve on. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder etc.

Yes, I'd always rather have cash and pick my own coins!  Having said that, it can be fun if people give you change from their travels if you enjoy coins generally.  But most of us here have chosen or had to narrow down to specialise in one particular area (though that can be as broad as coins of a particular metal, or as narrow as one denomination from one particular reign, or coins from a particular year)  Those sorts of coins you need to choose for yourself!

[SophieCat 6]

Thank everyone  Of course I’d rather have the hard cash, but my family aren’t very ‘cash’y at Christmas! They like to give things...which is lovely of course, hence me giving them a list of everything I want, in links, so that they don’t try and get creative ?. Nothing fancy, just the basic kit to get me started and preserve what I have got without further damage. 

I saw the little paper discs, but I’ve asked for the cardboard holders (oh dear can’t remember the name!) - flips?! white ones, which I can write on. And the albumt to hold them  

I’m entering them into a spreadsheet at the moment, and learning lots as I look each one up. Amazing the varieties involved...

Sophie.

[will1976 235]

1 hour ago, SophieCat said:

Thank everyone  Of course I’d rather have the hard cash, but my family aren’t very ‘cash’y at Christmas! They like to give things...which is lovely of course, hence me giving them a list of everything I want, in links, so that they don’t try and get creative ?. Nothing fancy, just the basic kit to get me started and preserve what I have got without further damage. 

I saw the little paper discs, but I’ve asked for the cardboard holders (oh dear can’t remember the name!) - flips?! white ones, which I can write on. And the albumt to hold them  

I’m entering them into a spreadsheet at the moment, and learning lots as I look each one up. Amazing the varieties involved...

Sophie.

Hello Sophie and welcome. Further up in the thread there was a mention of an aluminium coin case. I have a brand new one you can have for just the postage cost if you decided to go down that route. It was a gift to me which I have never used as I chose to store my coins in quadrum capsules. Just PM me and let me know

[SophieCat 6]

32 minutes ago, will1976 said:

Hello Sophie and welcome. Further up in the thread there was a mention of an aluminium coin case. I have a brand new one you can have for just the postage cost if you decided to go down that route. It was a gift to me which I have never used as I chose to store my coins in quadrum capsules. Just PM me and let me know

Thank you so much Will  that’s amazing of you...

Sophie.

[will1976 235]

Just now, SophieCat said:

Thank you so much Will  that’s amazing of you...

Sophie.

not a problem, think of it as an early xmas present lol

[SophieCat 6]

5 minutes ago, will1976 said:

not a problem, think of it as an early xmas present lol

I will! Thank you  I will raise a glass of port in your honour, lol (and drink it of course...)

Sophie.